Please help! Wisdom teeth questions

[schoen]

Arg! I have to have my wisdom teeth removed! I am so upset about this... How much will it cost for my lower teeth? What about all four? How much will this actually hurt? How long will I be out of commission? I am so scared! Any info will be helpful.

 

[KirstenB]

I don't know about the costs, because I had dental ins. But I had mine pulled 14 yrs ago. I went to work each day after, but they started to hurt around noon. I think all the walking around eventually just got them to throb a bit. I had Loratab pills, but they didint' do a lot for me.

Good luck. The actual pulling was painless and it was fine.

 

[RNMOM]

Most of us have to have this done so don't get too upset. The cost will depend on your own dentist. Do you have insurance? I believe the wisdom teeth are removed by a dental surgeon and actually are covered under the medical policy, not dental. If you don't have insurance, check with any dental schools in your area, they might have a good program.

As for the pain, yes, it hurts. The very worst will be the first day. They put stiches in the gums that usually dissolve on their own. It is tempting to feel around with your tongue but that will increase pain. Plan to eat very soft or liquid foods for a few days. This is usually noodle soup, pudding, yogurt, scrambled eggs and other things you don't have to chew much. Within a 2-3 days you will be eating nearly normally.

Ice is your best friend. Keep cold packs on the area 20 min. on and then 20 min. off. Be sure there is a light fabric cover over them to protect your skin. Take your pain meds. If you can't take codeine, let them know right away as that is the drug of choice. Some people get nauseated and worse from it. Take it with food and LAY DOWN. Any narcotic pain med can make you nauseated if you try to move around a lot. Plan to be home and rest for a couple days at least. Really rest. Get food in and easy to prepare or have someone help you. If you plan ahead and follow the suggestions of your dentist, you will be fine.

 

[wardfamily1]

I had 2 pulled 5 years ago and it was $300. If you don't have a regular dentist, call around and find one that 'caters to cowards' . It was sore after the medication wore off, but I wouldn't say it was painful. I stayed home from work for 2 days because I was afraid it was going to start hurting, but again, it was just sore.

 

[georgina]

Costs vary widely depending on your area. Ours is not covered by medical, it was our lousy dental plan, but the oral surgeon did not charge us for the $700 the insurance did not pay! Good luck and make sure you do the things they tell you to afterward. My D neglected rinsing with salt water and ended up with a mild infection in one.

I guess it also will depend on whether you are talking about pulling already erupted teeth, or cutting into the gums for non-erupted ones.

 

[dzneelvr]

Ask your dentist for an estimated cost--they must be able to provide this.
As far as pain and rehab time: that varies per individual. I had 4 pulled at one time and because there were no roots, no pain nada, nothing. My recovery was overnight.

 

[wdwhereicome]

My sons had their wisdom teeth out -- one this year, the other last.

This year - it was $2500 for 4 through surgery (no pulling). $2200 medical, $300 dental. He came right back and was very functional from day one even though he had one difficult tooth to extract - root against jawbone.

Last year - it was $2200 for 4 through surgery (no pulling). $1900 medical, $300 dental. He took a week to get through. He followed all instructions - meds, ice, sleeping and when time came rinsing.) But he had a lot of pain and bleeding.

Why the difference? Absolutely no clue! So every person really does handle it differently! Both of my sons did the same thing and one bounced right back. Go figure!

Good luck!

 

[Anewman]

The last time I weighed in under 200 pounds was thanks to my wisdom teeth.

Hurt coming in for like 2 weeks, then had all 4 yanked on the same day, which made it hard to eat for another week.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I just had 2 out about 2 months ago and need to schedule an appt to get the other 2 out. WITH insurance I was told that they billed $215 per tooth but I'm sure that varies dentist to dentist and if paying OOP they might cut you a break as well. I had mine pulled in the office vs. day surgery and only had local anesthesia/novacaine vs. being put under. I did not FEEL any pain having them pulled but it was uncomfortable and I did not like hearing it. I DID keep my eyes closed through the procedure. Afterwards my cheek was packed with gauze and I was told to leave that for a few hours and to ice my cheek on and off that day 15 minutes on at a time. I only took Motrin for the pain and honestly could have gone to work the next morning but I had them pulled on a Friday and took the weekend off because I was concerned about being in pain, swollen, etc. Nearly NO swelling and after Motrin for the weekend I took no pain meds. I think I worked it up to be worse than it really turned out to be.

Good luck

 

[JenM]

I had 3 of mine removed this summer, and after insurance it cost me $450. Mine had gotten infected and they had to go (I could barely open my mouth and needed to go on antibiotics for a week before they could even take them out), so I honestly didn't study the costs too closely. I just wanted them gone.

First day is the worst--two got pulled, one needed to be cut out. Drugs and ice packs are your friend. Just get plenty of rest, and stick to soft foods like yogurt, ice cream, pudding. Don't drink through a straw or do anything that requires suction, since that can create a dry socket (didn't happen to me, but I heard it's awful).

But it gets better in a few days. And 3 months later, I'm much better and I'm glad I had it done. Good luck!

 

[Octoberbride03]

Relax, you'll be fine. I had my wisdoms removed ages ago, I don't remember the cost. But if you have a decent pain tolerance it won't be bad. Once hte anesthia wore off I had like 1 tylenol with codeine and that was it. The changing cotton pads was worse i thought. gross but neccessary. I had mine done with a local and there were no problems at all, so that could help with costs too versus going all the way under.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

The oral surgeon gave my DD these ice packs that fit in a sock sort of thing that DD was able to velcro around her head. They were great. I just wish we had two sets of those ice packs rather than one because they didn't really want to freeze inbetween applications.

Other stuff: DD became very emotional while coming down off the anesthetic, and your mileage may vary...it's just better to know the possible side effects going in.

Last thing: follow the dentist/oral surgeon's instructions to the letter, because infection in the mouth really hurts!

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

Don't be nervous - that's why they invented Xanax. If your really stressed out about it, they will prescribe you a few before the sugery. You shouldn't feel much during surgery but pressure if it's simple, and if you need to go to an OS to have them out then they may give you gas or put you nite-nite.

The cost depends on who's doing it - a simple extraction at you reg dentist will be cheaper than an OS.

So that leads us to how difficult they will be to get out:
The pain (afterpain) will really depend on this. If it's simple, it really shouldn't be that bad. Swelling peaks 24 hrs later, that's when it's at it's worst.
For more difficult teeth, they may have to 'bang you up' a bit to get them out. You'll be asleep more than likely for that, so no issue there. But sometimes you can still ache in those areas for up to two weeks later. Sometimes you will have no issues at all and heal nicely. It's all a roll of the dice, everyone is different. People tolerate pain differently.

Just take care of yourself after it's all over, and it's nice to have someone take care of you, too! Follow all instructions given, and you'll be fine

I want to give you a big ole hug cause it's the apprehension that's the worst part. It's better to know now what to expect.

 

[MoniqueU]

I agree people tolerate pain differently, thats for sure. I had it done under anesthesia and was in a LOT of pain the first day. I think they gave me at least 2 kinds of painkillers. The next day we left for Vegas and man was that a wild trip with me on all those meds and looped out of my mind and drooling mashed potatoes out of the side of my mouth. I also went against Dr's advice and smoked anyway and never ended up with dry sockets so I think the suction thing is just on a case by case basis. I had no problems.

 

[Piglet4Ever]

I had all for of mine out last yr, 3 were impacted, only went with laughing gas and novicain, I am afraid to be put under. The doc gave me some anti inflamatories and I used my trusty advil for the pain and that was it for me. I did lose 5 lbs during the week just because I was afraid I'd get dry sockets, which I didn't thank God. I am super glad I had them taken out, my mouth feels so much better now. Make sure you do the salt water rinses!!!!

 

[kellyg403]

The oral surgeon gave my DD these ice packs that fit in a sock sort of thing that DD was able to velcro around her head. They were great. I just wish we had two sets of those ice packs rather than one because they didn't really want to freeze inbetween applications.

Other stuff: DD became very emotional while coming down off the anesthetic, and your mileage may vary...it's just better to know the possible side effects going in.

Last thing: follow the dentist/oral surgeon's instructions to the letter, because infection in the mouth really hurts!

I agree with the "emotional" after anesthetic. My dd was the same, she cried then she would laugh, finally she went to sleep. My dd dislikes the dentist alot. She, unfortunatly, does not have great teeth and since she was 5 it never fails she has to have something done. She works herself up just passing the dentist office. I now take her to a dentist that caters to cowards, and they have worked wonders with helping her loose some of that anxiety.

My sis had 4 pulled in her 40's and had no problems, she was back at work the next couple days. She also said she could have gone back the next day but she figured she would just rest...it was a good excuse for her. My dd was sore for a few days but nothing major, though she did not bruise and my sis did.

Kelly

 

[mjkacmom]

Mine was covered by my health insurance, and was done in the office, with sedation (I never went under, but was high as a kite! ). However, I did get a dry socket, which has to be the most painful thing one ever goes through (speaking as someone who has given birth to 5 children, v and c/s). DO NOT use a straw afterwards!!!! I don't know if it was because the dry socket was so painful, but the rest of my mouth felt fine.